A Grant of Probate is often required to enable you to deal with the assets of a deceased person. If you need any help on obtaining one or general assistance in relation to an estate, please speak to our Private…

The following papers contain information needed for registering the death: Birth certificate. Marriage or civil partnership certificate. Death certificate of former wife, husband or civil partner. State pension or allowance book. Passport. Even if you cannot find these papers, you…

If the person who has died was living alone in a private home, someone should go to the home on the day of the death to look for papers relating to insurance of the person's home and its contents, preferably…

Bank accounts and other assets in the sole name of the person who has died are usually "frozen" from the death until the personal representatives obtain a grant of probate or letters of administration. If the person who has died…

If a person is a joint owner of a bank or building society account with the person who has died, then from the time of the death the joint holder automatically owns the money in the account. The account is…

You, or other family members, may be willing to pay the funeral expenses, on the basis that you will claim repayment from the estate later. However, there are other ways of paying for the funeral: Look through the papers of…

Only the executors appointed in a will are entitled to see the will before probate is granted. If you are not an executor, the solicitors of the person who has died or the person's bank, if it has the will,…

Whoever registers the death should take to the register office: the medical certificate from the doctor; the persons full name at date of death; any names previously used, eg, maiden name; the person’s date and place of birth; their occupation;…